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How an ancient singing tradition helps people cope with trauma in the modern world

In Finland, lament singing is experiencing a revival, one sad song at a time.

By Tristan Ahtone
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Lament teacher Pirkko Fihlman wears a traditional Käspaikka scarf during a gathering at her home in Helsinki. Credit: YES! Magazine/Katri Heinämäki. All rights reserved.

Riitta Excell wore a pair of homemade wool socks: white with red floral patterns and rounded blue toes. Around her were women sipping tea and enjoying plum pastries and chicken feta pie. They wore homemade wool socks, as well.

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Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0